‘Volunteering Is in Every Healthcare Worker’s Blood’
From August 7 to 9, the annual All-Russian Forum of Medical Volunteers took place at HSE University’s Cultural Centre. The event was held for the seventh year in a row. This year, 300 medical volunteers from all over Russia took part.
The forum's main objectives are to support youth initiatives in the field of healthcare and create a communication environment for the development of medical volunteerism. The forum organisers and partners included the Medical Volunteers all-Russian public movement, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Rosmolodyozh.Dobro track, and the Federal Centre for Support of Volunteering and Mentoring in the Field of Healthcare.
One of the forum’s main events was the signing of an agreement to open the Centre for Volunteer Training in Medical Support for the World Youth Festival 2024 in Russia.
At the opening of the forum, Tatyana Semenova, Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, welcomed the participants and said that they have all been doing a very important job for the country over the past few years. ‘Volunteering is in the blood of every healthcare worker,’ commented Tatiana Semenova. ‘In fulfilling their official duty, each medical worker gives a little more than they should in the framework of the job description. It is very good that students have the opportunity to unite their efforts as early as in their university days.’
Mikhail Murashko
She also passed official congratulations from the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Mikhail Murashko. ‘The forum is a significant event for volunteering in the healthcare sector. As always, the most active and responsible representatives of this sphere have gathered here today. These people not only come to the aid of our population every day, but also organise large-scale work in all regions of Russia. This vocation requires special spiritual qualities—kindliness of heart and responsiveness, and sometimes real courage. You are our hope and support,’ the minister said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also greeted the forum participants.
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
Continuing the noble traditions of volunteering, you fulfil an important mission—dealing with relevant challenges that the homeland and healthcare face, helping medical workers cope with a wide range of professional problems, paying tireless attention to medical work, popularising the values of a healthy lifestyle, and, therefore, your organisation enjoys well-deserved prestige and respect.
The forum will host a grant competition from the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh). The creators of the most interesting and promising socially significant projects will receive up to one million roubles for their implementation.
Maria Yakunchikova, Advisor to the Chairperson of the Russian Red Cross, said that the All-Russian Forum is a real celebration for her. ‘I am glad that the development of the Medical Volunteers movement continues every year. You accept new people and new territories into your beautiful big family. It’s great that the team is enriched with such enthusiastic hearts,’ she said.
The forum participants told the HSE News Service about what they do and why they decided to take part in the event.
Svetlana Arsanova, sixth-year student of the Faculty of Medicine, Siberian State Medical University
— I am a medical volunteer engaged in promoting donation. During my studies, I realised that I wanted to volunteer, to benefit people. I cannot be a donor myself for medical reasons, but I want to involve as many people as possible in this, to show how important it is. I talk about why this topic is relevant, that it is not scary and benefits society. I also talk about bone marrow donation, because there is a severe shortage of donors here. We hold lectures and various events. I am glad that people respond and sign up to the register of donors.
Maria Asmus, fourth-year Dentistry student, Siberian State Medical University
— This is my first experience of participating in such forums. I was invited here as a coordinator for assisting medical organisations. I really want to meet different people from other regions and improve my ability to work with a team and develop leadership skills. In my opinion, it is important to be able to competently build team work in order to improve performance in organisations.
Aleksey Staritsyn, fifth-year student of the Faculty of Medicine, Chita State Medical Academy
— I want to become a trauma doctor. I was previously involved in the Stop HIV/AIDS movement. The forum is a great opportunity to get to know well-known people in volunteering circles, as well as expand your opportunities and horizons. My expectations are super high, because everyone here is very open and highly inspired.
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